Method of making a dusting tool



March 19, 193.5.- I D, REPLQGLE 1,995,282

METHOD OF MAKING A DUSTING TOOL Original Filed July 14, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 19, 1935. D, B REPLOGLE 1,995,282

METHOD OF MAKING A DUSTING TOOL Original Filed July 14, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 5 p 5. Fix??? Patented Mar. 19, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIQE to Citizens Trust Company, corporation of Ohio, trustee Toledo, Ohio, a

Original application July 14, 1931, Serial No.

550,786. Divided and this application January 10, 1933, Serial No. 651,052

15 Claims. (Cl. 300-21) The invention relates primarily to improved methods for forming brushes intended principally for use with pneumatic cleaning apparatus, and more particularly to methods for forming a hollow or ring-like brush provided with an external annular flange or bead adapted to be detachably engaged within an annular groove in a body member composed of resilient material, which body member constitutes a means of connection with a suction pipe of a cleaning system such as is illustrated in my Patent No. 1,533,271, dated April 14, 1925, entitled Air-way cleaning apparatus. Cleaning systems of this type are known commercially under the registered trademark Air-Way.

The present application is a division of my prior application Serial No. 550,786, filed July 14, 1931, entitled Furniture dusting tool, and my improved method Will be described with particular reference to the apparatus disclosed in the said prior application, by way of illustration, though it will be apparent that the present invention is not to be confined or limited by such prior application. The invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings in which,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating one form of the tool in use, the tool being herein shown applied to a round suction pipe and the brush element inserted in the mouth of the tool;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the tool with the brush element assembled ready for use, portions of the tool being broken away to show the snug fit between the brush and the tool body;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section passing through the reinforcing rib of the tool body, and showing the tool body ready for use, but with the brush removed;

Fig. 4 is a transverse section on line 44 of Fig. 3, showing the reinforcing rib;

Fig. 5 is a view looking into that end of the shank of the rubber tool body to which the suction pipe or cleaner handle is to be applied;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a preferred form of brush element which includes a hollow ring or skirt portion for holding the bristles and an external circumferential rib or bead for engagement with the groove in the application head;

Fig. '7 is a vertical sectional view through the skirt and bristle portions of the brush shown in Fig. 6;

Figs. 7a and 7b are fragmentary views illustrating the method of forming the brush disclosed in Figs. 6 and 7;

Figs. 8, 9 and 10 are views illustrating steps in the manufacture of a slightly different form of brush from a circular blank, and

Fig. 11 represents the finished brush;

Fig. 12 is an elevational view of a blank from which another form of brush is made;

Fig. 13 is an end view of the blank;

Figs. 14, 15 and 15a are views illustrating steps in the manufacture of the brush from the blank shown in Fig. 12;

Fig. 16 is a sectional view of a further modification of the brush, in which the flange for securing the brush to the tool body is formed separately from and welded to the skirt portion;

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the ring which is to be welded to the skirt portion to form the flange for the brush illustrated in Fig. 16, and

Fig. 18 is a sectional view showing a still further modification of the brush.

Referring particularly to Fig. l, A denotes a suction pipe or handle connected to a suitable source of suction, B the hollow body portion of an application tool which is detachably connected to the suction pipe A. At the mouth of the body member B, a suitable brush or application member C is detachably applied.

The body portion is preferably composed of molded elastic material, such as rubber. The body comprises a shank 10 to the end 11 of which the suction handle is applied. The end 11 is normally oval, as clearly indicated in Fig. 5, and is thus adapted to readily engage a tube or pipe which may be of either rounded or flattened formation as disclosed in my Patent No. 1,403,524, the oval shape being intermediate between the flat and the rounded forms, and rendering the shank much more adaptable than in the case of a shank whose end is normally flat or round. A bead 12 is formed adjacent the end 11 and serves as a reinforcement insuring proper gripping of the suction pipe A to produce an air-tight connection.

Connected to the opposite end of the shank 10 is a rounded application head 13 having a downwardly extending mouth portion 14 provided with a 'pair of internal spaced ribs 15, 16, between which is located a groove 17 to receive an external flange formed on the brush member. These ribs 15 and 16, constituting the walls of groove 17, being formed integral with the body of the tool which is composed of resilient material, are themselves resilient, and when forced apart to receive the external flange of the brush member tend to return to their original position and thus firmly but detachably grip the flange of the brush member owing to the resilience of the ribs or walls.

Below the 'rib 16 the mouth portion of the application head flares outwardly, forming a Venturi inlet. This flaring portion is indicated at 19a. An external rib 18 surrounds the inlet. The shank is hollow, and a passage 19 extends therethrough. The passage is constricted at 20, forming a throat at the juncture between the shank and the application head. The under portion of the shank is reduced as at 21, forming a flattened surface, shown more clearly in Fig. 4. Beyond the throat portion 20, and within the application head, there is an enlarged opening or chamber having a curved interior surface 23, which permits smooth flow of air. This surface directs the dust-laden air into the throat portion. Below the chamber 22 is the mouth portion of the application head. which, as stated above, flares outwardly as at 19a. Thus swift, unrestricted movement of dust-laden air through the mouth and, application head is insured, this movement being aided by the Venturi action caused by the restricted throat 20 opening into the enlarged passage 19.

To counteract any tendency for the shank to collapse adjacent its line of juncture with the application head, a reinforcing rib 24 is preferably provided, extending longitudinally along the upper portion of the shank, said rib being shown as thickest opposite the restricted neck 20 and cutaway portion 21.

Since the tool body B is preferably composed of moldable material, itwill be obvious that the various ribs, grooves, cut-away portions, and restricted portions may be easily and inexpensively formed. Moreover, the rubber prevents marring or injuring of the surface to which the tool may be applied. The tool body may be used, if desired, without the additional brush member, in which case the mouth of the application head is applied directly to the surface to be cleaned. Preferably, however, a brush C is employed in conjunction therewith.

It will be noted that the hollow body member B of the cleaning tool is composed of resilient material, and its primary function is to provide a detachable connection between a suction pipe or tube and an application member, although in some cases the mouth of the body member itself may be used as a dusting member, without the use of a separate application member, this feature of the invention being separately claimed in my application Serial No. 470,511. Where the body member is used in connection with an application member its mouth portion serves as a brush mounting and for this purpose is provided with the channel 1'7, which in the present embodiment of the invention is in communication with the hollow interior of the body member when the brush is removed, whereas in the embodiment disclosed in my prior application Serial No. 15,529, the channel is separated from the interior by one of the resilient walls of the charmeL- It will be further noted that the shank portion of the body member has been especially adapted or shaped to detachably flt over the open end of the suction tube A, which may be either round or flat, and preferably comprises one of the detachable extension members adapted to be secured to the hollow handle of a cleaning apparatus such as is shown in my prior Patent No. 1,533,271 granted April' 14, 1925 on application Serial No. 279,467, filed February 26, 1919. In my cleaning tool a passageway extends throughout the entire length of the body member, being restricted somewhat adjacent the throat portion, while the lower portion of the shank portion to the rear "of the reduced portion 21 provides a recess which opens into the main portion of the passageway and which is detachably retain the brush member when its bead'is forced into the channel. The longitudinal rib 24 extending along the upper side of the body member opposite the reduced portion 21 and the recessed portion of the shank serves to prevent collapsing of the tool when pressure is applied thereto.

A satisfactory form of brush is shown in Figs. 6 and 7. This brush comprises a hollow metal portion or skirt, designated generally by the reference numeral 25, which skirt retains the bristles 26 which extend beyond the lower portion thereof. At the upper portion of the skirt there is formed an outwardly extending circumferential hollow flange 27, which is adapted to engage within the groove 1'7 in the molded body member. The flange being hollow and resilient, and the body member being composed of flexible material, such as rubber, it is obvious that an air-tight fit between the brush and body member will be insured.

Numerous methods of constructing the brush may be satisfactorily employed, and for the purpose of illustration, a few of these methods will be described in detail in order that the simplicity and economy of the brush will become apparent.

Referring first to Fig. 7, it will be noted that the skirt portion of the body comprises an outer ring 28 and an inner ring 31, which tightly grip between them the bristles 26. The brush may be formed as indicated in Fig. 7a, by first bending the upper portion of the ring 28 outwardly to provide an annular shoulder 29, upon. which a wire ring 30, carrying the bristles 26 folded there.- over, may be laid. The inner ring 31 is next applied, and a flange 32 thereof bent over the wire 30 and the upper portion of the bristles. In order to hold the flange 32 in place, the outer ring 28 is bent over the flange 32, as indicated at 33, most clearly shown in Fig. 7b. The bending of the upper portion of the member 28 forms the flange 27, which coacts' with the groove 17 in the body member, and at the same time the bentover portion 33 serves to firmly hold the parts in place, tightly gripping the wire which supports the bristle members. If desired, the inner and outer rings may be welded together at their meeting portion along the line 34, but such welding is not essential, as the parts will remain in assembled condition owing to the cooperation betwen the bent-over flanges 32 and 33, the wire 30 and bristles .26.

Another method of forming a brush for use with the body member is illustrated in Figs. 8 to 11 inclusive. Fig. 8 illustrates a circular blank D, preferably formed of metal, although flber might also be employed. The blank is then converted into the inverted cup-shaped member shown in Fig. 9 by stamping. This member includes a flaring skirt 36, a rounded top 37 and an open bottom 38. The next operation consists in pressing inwardly the top portion 37 by successive stamping operations until the article assumes the shape shown in Fig. 10. It will be noted that the lower portion of, the flaring skirt has been pressed inwardly so as to assume a vertical position. As shown in Fig. 10, the article now comprises an outer ring 36a and an inner ring 36b, connected by a rounded portion 36c, these three parts having been formed from the skirt 36 of the cup-shaped member shown in Fig. 9.

The rounded top 37 has been converted into a substantially flat bottom member 39. It will be noted further that the outer ring member 36a is somewhat longer than the inner ring member 361). Bristles 40. looped over a wire ring 41, may now be placed in position within the upper portion of the annular space between the inner and outer rings. Paste or adhesive may be employed to temporarily hold the ring and accompanying bristles in position To complete the brush an external bead 42 is formed at the top of the metal skirt member, and in forming this bead it will be noted that the outer ring member 36a will be shortened so as to be of equal length with the inner member 36b. The circular bottom 39 may be cut out in the same stamping operation in which the bead 42 is formed, leaving an unobstructed interior to permit the free passage of air through the center of the brush. The flange 42 provides means for attachment of the brush to the body member 13, and at the same time forms an internal shoulder which holds the bristles 40 and wire ring 41.

Another method of forming a brush suitable for use with the body member B is illustrated in Figs. 12, 13, 14, and 15a. Reference character E in Fig. 12 denotes generally a metal strip or blank which has been folded over to substantially U-shape. The two legs 43 and 44 of the U are of unequal lengths and are connected by a curved portion 45. The U-shaped member shown in Figs. 12 and 13 may then be curved about a suitable mandrel and the ends 46 and 47 of the strip welded together, as indicated at 48 in Fig. 14. This forms a double-walled skirt or ring member in which the legs 43 and 44 of the U- shaped blank now form inner and outer rings, with an annular connecting portion 45 at the top thereof. The outer ring extends downwardly beyond the inner ring. Bristles 50, mounted upon a wire ring 51, may now be applied to the metal skirt in the same manner as described in referonce to previous modifications of the invention. If necessary, a small quantity of paste 49 may be placed within the annular space between the inner and outer rings 43 and 44 to temporarily hold the bristles in position. A circumferential flange 52 is now formed by a suitable stamping operation, which simultaneously shortens the outer ring 44 so as to be of equal length with the inner ring 43.

In Fig. 16 another form of brush is shown which comprises a double skirt portion generally designated by reference character F. This skirt portion may be identical with the partially formed article shown in Fig. 15, except that the inner and outer ring portions of which the skirt is composed are of the same length. The bristles 50 are held in place within the skirt by means of paste 49. In the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 16, the bristles are mounted directly within the paste, without the use of a wire ring, although such ring may be employed if desired, and will aid in preventing the bristles from falling out. A flange for the skirt may be formed, from a separate ring 53, shown in Fig. 17, which is also U-shaped in cross section and may be formed by folding over a flat strip of metal .to provide a double strip somewhat similar to the blank E shown in Fig. 12, and then bringing theends of the double strip together and welding the same as at 53a. Or, if desired, a ring may be stamped out from a fiat material and its edges turned over to U-shaped form. The double ring 53 may now be applied at the top of the skirt F and spot-welded thereto as at 54 and 54a. The ring 53 now forms the external circumferential flange by means of which'the brush may be attached to the body member B.

A still further modification of the invention is disclosed in Fig. 18, which arrangement is'quite similar to that disclosed in Fig. 7. The bristles 55, strung upon a wire ring 56, are held in position between an inner ring 57 and an outer ring 58, which comprise the double metal skirt portion of the body. The outer ring is provided with an outwardly turned flange 59, and the inner ring with the flange 60, which is bent over the flange 59 of the outer ring after the bristles have been positioned between the two rings. The turned-over flange 60 forms an external circumferential flange for the brush by means of which the same may be held within the body member B. A tight fit is formed between the flanges 59 and 60 and the bristles and wire ring are compressed so as to be tightly held in position.

The various modifications of the invention decribed above are sufiicient to show the practicability of forming a brush of a metallic annular channel member in which the bristles are mounted and generally held by compression between the inner and outer rings of the channel member. These various modifications also illustrate practical means for forming an external circumferential bead at the top of the skirt or channel, whereby the brush may be conveniently held in position and detachably connected to the annular grooved mouth portion of the body of a cleaner tool. The external flange on the brush,

while constituting an important feature of the present invention as illustrating a practical means for detachably connecting the brush to the body of the suction cleaner tool, may be omitted where other means are provided for making such connection, and the advantages of the metal skirt for holding the bristles firmly in position will be apparent regardless of whether the annular flange is employed or not.

The invention has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration, but it will be obvious that various changes or modifications not herein illustrated may be employed without departing from the spirit of'the invention.

What I claim is:

1. A method of forming a hollow brush suitable for attachment to an internally grooved suction nozzle, which comprises forming an annular metallic channel surrounding a central opening, inserting bristles within the channel parallel with the axis of the brush, forming an external flange on the channel extending laterally therefrom in a direction away from the central opening only, leaving the interior smooth and unobstructed, and causing the bristles to be retained within the channel.

2. A method of forming a hollow brush suitable for attachment to an internally grooved suction nozzle, which comprises providing an annular metallic channel member having a double skirt portion extending parallel to the axis of the brush, with an external bead of greater diameter than the skirt portion extending laterally therefrom in a direction away from the central opening only, leaving the interior smooth and unobstructed, and causing a ring of bristles to be retained within the channel with the tips thereof extending beyond the skirt portion in a direction substantially at right angles to the bead.

3. A method of forming a hollow brush suitable for attachment to an internally grooved suction nozzle, which comprises assembling bristles between a pair of spaced parallel flanged ring members, then bending one o! the flanges over the other, and compressing the bristles between the flanges.

4. A method of forming a hollow annular externally flanged brush suitable for attachment to an internally grooved suction nozzle, which comprises inserting bristles carried upon a wire ring between a pair of externally flanged concentric metallic cylindrical members, with the ring resting upon the flange of the outer cylinder and the bristles extending between the'skirt portion of the cylindrical members, then bending one of the flanges about the other to grip the wire ring and form an external bead for attachment to the nozzle of the cleaner.

5. A method of forming a hollow brush suitable for attachment to an internally grooved nozzle, which comprises forming an annular channel member with a double skirt portion and a hollow external head of greater diameter than the skirt portion, and causing a bristle-carrying ring of greater diameter than the skirt portion to be retained within the hollow bead with the major portion of the bristles extending through the skirt portion.

6. A method of forming a hollow brush, which comprises stamping a metallic disk into cup shape, then forming the cup into a pair of concentric connected rings by a reversed stamping, cutting out the solid metal obstructing the inner ring, to allow free passage of air, then clamping bristles between the concentric rings, and simultaneously forming a hollow flaring bead on thebrush, whereby the brush may be detachably' secured to an internally grooved nozzle.

'7. A method for formng a hollow brush for use with pneumatic cleaning apparatus, which comprises bending a straight channel member to circular form and uniting the ends by welding, securing bristles within the channel, and forming a flaring head at the closed end of the channel.

8. A method for forming a hollow brush for use with pneumatic cleaning apparatus, which comprises bending a straight channel member to circular form and uniting the ends by welding,

- securing bristles within the channel, and forming a flaring head by welding a laterally projecting ring to the closed end of the channel.

9. A method of forming a hollow brush, which comprises stamping a metallic disk into cup shape, then forming the cup into a pair of concentric connected rings by a reversed stamping. cutting out the solid metal obstructing the inner ring to allow free passage of air, and then clamping bristles between the concentric rings.

10. A method for forming a hollow brush for use with pneumatic cleaning apparatus, which comprises bending a straight channel member to circular form and uniting the ends, securing bristles within the channel, and forming a flaring bead at the closed end of the channel.

11. A method for forming a hollow brush for use with pneumatic cleaning apparatus, which comprises bending a straight channel member to circular formand uniting the ends adhesively, securing bristles within the channel, and forming a flaring bead at the closed end of the channel.

12. A method for forming a hollow brushfor use with pneumatic cleaning apparatus, which comprises bending a straight channel member to circular form, uniting the ends, securing bristles within the channel, and iorming a flaring bead by welding a laterally projecting ring to the closed end of the channel.

13. A method 01' making the hollow backing of a brush suitable for attachment to an internally grooved nozzle, which comprises forming an annular metallic bristle holding member surrounding a central opening with a double skirt portion extending parallel to the axis of the central opening and providing an external bead of greater diameter than the skirt portion extending laterally therefrom in a direction away from the central opening only, leaving a smooth and unobstructed interior.

14. A method of forming a hollow brush suitable for attachment to an internally grooved suction nozzle, which comprises inserting bristles within an annular metallic channel parallel with the axis of the brush, forming an external bead on the channel extending laterally therefrom in a direction away from the central opening only, leaving the interior smooth and unobstructed, and causing the bristles to be gripped within the beaded portion of the channel, whereby removal of the bristles is prevented.

15. A method as set forth in claim 14, wherein the bristles are carried by a wire ring compressed within the external bead of the channel, the ring being of greater diameter than the skirt portion of the channel member.

DANIEL BENSON REPLOGLE. 

